Today’s Reflection
Note: This week’s New Every Morning is structured differently to follow the format of our featured title, Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, which addresses issues of social justice through a compilation of reflections and call-and-response prayers known as litanies.
Jesus is the God who knocks because he came into the world as a stranger, inviting us into a relationship so that we would be strangers no more. He knocks on the doors, walls, and structures that we have erected to keep others out. Jesus knocks as one who stands in solidarity with those we have rejected. Jesus knocks as every visitor bearing the image of God who approaches our front doors and southern borders.
—Tony Huynh, “God Who Knocks: A Litany for Making a Home with and for Refugees and Migrants,” Rally: Communal Prayers for Lovers of Jesus and Justice, edited and compiled by Britney Winn Lee (Fresh Air Books, 2020)
Today’s Question
How would you interact with someone at your door if you imagined that person was Jesus?
Join the conversation.
Today’s Scripture
[The righteous will ask,] “When was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”
—Matthew 25:38-40 (NRSV)
Today’s Litany
ONE: God who is their God, God who is my God, God who is our God,
ALL: Teach us to welcome all your children.
ONE: God who has crossed the border between divinity and humanity,
ALL: Teach us to leave behind our comfort.
ONE: God who took on flesh,
ALL: Teach us to love as you have loved us.
ONE: God who became human,
ALL: Teach us to be willing and vulnerable like you.
ONE: God, have mercy on us all.
ALL: Amen.
—Tony Huynh, “God Who Knocks: A Litany for Making a Home with and for Refugees and Migrants”
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
The final litany from Rally was written by Britney Winn Lee in the beginning days of the global pandemic. This prayer reminds us that hope endures; goodness prevails; people surprise us; and love cannot, has not, will not fail. Watch and listen.
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Transfiguration Sunday
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
4 Comments
Very hopefully I would welcome the person in, be hospitable, help with any needs as best I could. My family emigrated to the US as early as 1624 and as late as 1885. I’m open to letting people come. Sadly there’s been times when people were enslaved to come here, prohibited from coming, and mistreated by earlier immigrants. People who were here for thousands of years had their land taken, were mistreated, denied citizenship in the country newcomers created. The goal of equal, fair, and just treatment for all by all has not yet been accomplished. God help us as we strive to improve. Prayers for Ukraine and may God’s wisdom come to Putin.
I pray that I would show mercy and hospitality to all strangers. At times, I fail miserably. Other times, I do better. We are all descendants of immigrants. We need to treat all folks the way we want to be treated. Lord, let love be our default setting. My heart is heavy today. Prayers for the nation of Ukraine and for NEM and UR brothers and sisters. Love to all.
I am not good at seeing each person as a beloved creation of God. Especially hard to view many of the students at my school in this way. I desire to and sometimes am successful at seeing my own students in this way. I suppose it is a habit I must be intentional about forming. Otherwise – it will be like so many other things which I have failed to indoctrinate.
Grateful to be home after school, and will be turning in quite soon. I am feeling tired. May have some icy weather overnight. The school was abuzz with talk of a snow day. We are a greedy lot…having had 5 already. As I watch the weather on the local news, it looks like I will be just far enough south to be above freezing. We will see,
Spoke with dad today – it is very warm down there and he is soaking up the remaining time. He will be home tomorrow evening. A hectic week or so as his moving date to my sister’s is March 8.
Concerned to not hear from Julie today. Ally – prayers for your concerns. God will be patient with you, while working in your heart to move you towards a stance of forgiveness.
I have become better at this over the years. I try to remember the scripture when was it that I welcomed you… weather it be at the door or in my comings and going’s. Some day s are better then others. I’ve been in the loft as one of our dear readers use to post. We are doing well and living back in San Diego. Blessings to all and I hope Julie is well. Praying for all those in the Ukraine.
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